A French warhorse in Africa

A French warhorse in Africa

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Battered and rusty though many of them may be, old Peugeot cars are still going strong on some of the world's most treacherous roads in the former French colonies of West Africa.

The indefatigable Peugeot 504 estate, based on the saloon produced by the French automaker from 1968, remains the mainstay of the cross-border bush taxi trade in the region.

. BAMAKO, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Millions depend on the vehicles to visit relatives or trade goods between countries such as Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

Local cab-owners jack up the rear-end to provide greater ground clearance, then add a third bench at the back of the car to pack in even more passengers - typically a total of eight plus the driver.

The bodywork is then festooned with stickers or decorations, like this Peugeot 504, emblazoned with the words “Guerrier Blanc” or “White Warrior.”

. KATI, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

A 500-mile trip typically runs at around 20 euros ($27) per passenger, or slightly more for those wanting a seat by the window or up-front with the driver.

A lively trade in second-hand spare parts from France and an abundance of mechanics mean that even in West Africa's smallest villages, it is possible to get a broken-down 504 back on the road within the hour.

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Slideshow

The Peugeot logo stands out on the grill of a rusty Peugeot 504 in Kati.
. KATI, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

The Peugeot logo stands out on the grill of a rusty Peugeot 504 in Kati.

Drivers lean against their 504s at a public transport station in Bamako.
. BAMAKO, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Drivers lean against their 504s at a public transport station in Bamako.

The rear window of an old Peugeot is painted with the words: "Every day is a life."
. KATI, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

The rear window of an old Peugeot is painted with the words: "Every day is a life."

A vendor is reflected in a Peugeot side mirror at a store selling old car parts.
. BAMAKO, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

A vendor is reflected in a Peugeot side mirror at a store selling old car parts.

A stuffed caterpillar sits on the dashboard of a Peugeot 504 at a car park in Kati.
. KATI, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

A stuffed caterpillar sits on the dashboard of a Peugeot 504 at a car park in Kati.

Cabbage is loaded onto the roof rack of a battered public transport car.
. KATI, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Cabbage is loaded onto the roof rack of a battered public transport car.

The engine of a Peugeot 504 is seen in Bamako.
. BAMAKO, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

The engine of a Peugeot 504 is seen in Bamako.

Men push one of the vehicles to get it started.
. KATI, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Men push one of the vehicles to get it started.

Penda Ba, a passenger in a Peugeot 504 taxi, waits in Dakar before driving to visit relatives in the interior of the country.
. DAKAR, Senegal. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Penda Ba, a passenger in a Peugeot 504 taxi, waits in Dakar before driving to visit relatives in the interior of the country.

A Peugeot 504 spews exhaust fumes as it drives up a hill.
. BAMAKO, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

A Peugeot 504 spews exhaust fumes as it drives up a hill.

Passengers ride in one of the old cars in Kati.
. KATI, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Passengers ride in one of the old cars in Kati.

Passengers wait in the rain for a driver to replace a flat tire on a Peugeot 504 taxi.
. BAMAKO, Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney

Passengers wait in the rain for a driver to replace a flat tire on a Peugeot 504 taxi.